Reviewer: Vincent F Carr, DO, MSA, FACC, FACP(Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)
Description: Like most examination preparatory texts, this has value but should not be solely relied upon in preparation for the examinations.
Purpose: The Blueprints series was first published in 1997 as board reviews for medical students and residents. This edition adds chapters on leukemia and lymphoma and a new section on neurology. The authors and contributors present an interesting collection of high-yield facts.
Audience: While this is primarily targeted at medical students and residents, there is much updated material for practitioners of all levels.
Features: The book focuses on commonly encountered diagnoses on rounds and on common concepts with which all residents are expected to be familiar. Each section includes clinical manifestations, appropriate diagnostic evaluations, treatments, and key points. As a test preparation book, there are no references and limited illustrations. There are a few pages of color figures of must-know material. An accompanying website is essentially a duplication of the print book.
Assessment: Like most examination preparatory books, this has value but should not be solely relied upon in preparation for the examinations.